Etihad Airways signs declaration to support the prevention of Wildlife Trafficking

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the signatories to the Declaration of the United for Wildlife International Taskforce on the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products signed at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

Led by
HRH The Duke of Cambridge, the United for Wildlife initiative aims to support
efforts to prevent the growing trade in illegal wildlife and products around the
world. The taskforce for transportation has identified the specific role that
the transport industry can play in helping to support the efforts of what The
Duke of Cambridge refers to as ‘the race against extinction’.

The ambitious
declaration documents eleven commitments which require signatories to commit to
supporting global efforts to prevent illegal wildlife smuggling, through
putting in place real measures where the transport industry specifically can
help shut down routes exploited by traffickers.

James
Hogan, Etihad Airways President and
Chief Executive Officer, who signed the declaration on behalf of the airline, said:
“We recognise the
significant role that the airlines can play in preventing the smuggling of
wildlife and products. Whilst the airlines cannot act as regulators, we are
able to support enforcement authorities and assist in raising passenger
awareness. We encourage others in this sector to sign up to this declaration to
help prevent this abhorrent practice.”

The
declaration focuses on breaking the link between the demand for illegal
wildlife products around the world and the escalating poaching crisis in places
such as Africa. Airlines are seen as key
partners, able to increase passenger awareness, provide capacity building at
airports and work closely to support the efforts of customs and law enforcement
authorities.

To
address the commitments the airline will be working closely with IATA, the
global airline association and another signatory to the Declaration, on shared
initiatives.

Etihad
Airways is also engaged with animal welfare on a broader scale, as part of its
efforts to reduce its ‘Animal Footprint’. The airline works in
partnership with the international wildlife NGO, the Born Free Foundation to
ensure the airline’s holiday activities and the transportation of animals have
a minimal impact on animal welfare and conservation. It is developing policies
and programmes to reduce this risk.